Panther Vision “Powercap EXP 200”Hot

March 10, 2013

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5.0 (2)

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Make & Model

Brand:

Panthervision

Model:

Powercap EXP 200

MSRP ($):

99.99

Unlike bats or other animals that can see in the dark, humans need a little bit of help - and that’s where the Panther Vision "Powercap EXP 200” headlamp lighted hat comes into play! The Powercap represents one of the brightest and most functional headlamp hats available on the market today. It presents three watt LED lighting for forward viewing of up to 200m.It also offers 3mm LED lighting underneath the brim of the hat for close up utilization like tying on lures, shining gators, and kayak fishing at night. The Powercap EXP 200 has a built-in battery saving feature that turns the lights off after fifteen minutes of non-use, and operates on three AA batteries that can provide up to 294 hours of lighting.

almost 3 years later

almost 3 years later this hat is still going strong. it has been on every camping trip, adventure, bowfishing trip as well as a household tool for chores. i use this cap weekly and have been amazed at how well it has held up. batteries last a long time and it is comfortable to wear. it has worked so good i just had to come back and update my original review !!!

I was "Originally" skeptical

When I was first handed the Panther Vision “Powercap EXP 200” headlamp hat, I have to admit I was skeptical. I have worn headlamps of some sort for so long one might think the first ones were candle lit. They have been a major tool of mine for many years at the workplace and in the outdoors. I have had some good ones and some not so good, so I was anxious to see how the Powercap would stack up.

On the business end, the Powercap has a three-watt LED spot light mounted on top of the bill. The spot is angle adjustable and generates 171 lumens of light. It is a powerful, focused beam that illuminates well for quite some distance. Under the brim of the hat is a pair of 3mm LEDs angled perfectly for tying knots or looking through fly boxes. The light provided by these is soft and angled from your eyes, so there is a minimum loss of night vision.

The battery pack on the back of the hat holds three AA batteries and provides up to 294 hours of light, depending on what mode you are operating in. A built-in battery saver will turn the Powercap off if there is 15 minutes of inactivity. The battery pack balances the weight of the hat well, and the hat itself is light and breathable. If not for the little bit of extra weight you could forget you are wearing an effective lighted tool.

To turn it on there is a built-in switch on the left side under the bill. After a couple tries it was easy to turn on without searching for it. The switch is my one and only dislike; not the switch itself, but the way you cycle through the modes. The modes start with the close light, another click cycles to the spot, another turns on both, and the last click turns it off. My wish would be for the ability to turn it on and off in the mode I want, either spot or flood. Cycling through all three is an inconvenience, and if you miss the mode you have to cycle through again.

I used the Powercap through an entire four day camping trip, for everything from navigating to the camp to brushing teeth. I used it while I made camp coffee and for rigging the next day’s arsenal of lures. It was comfortable and effective, and my skepticism was quickly put to rest. Other than my issue with the mode switch, I was very impressed with the Powercap and can see using it on lots of my adventures.

The Panther Vision Powercap is available in black (the model I used) or in Realtree® AP grey camouflage. The camo version would be useful in an early-morning duck blind, or for traveling to and from a deer stand. The Powercap EXP 200 retails for $99.99 and can be purchased at www.panthervision.com.